Colombia's Caribbean Coast & Lost City

Colombia has a certain kind of magic that you won’t find anywhere else in the Caribbean.

On this trip, you’ll experience it first-hand via visits to rural villages, treks through Tayrona National Park’s picturesque trails (where you’ll spend the night in eco-huts within the park itself), and (of course), downtime on the beach. Later, head to deep into the jungle to Teyuna – the fabled Ciudad Perdida (“Lost City”) older than Machu Picchu – a place crowded with history and free of crowds. Colombia is mysterious. Come figure out the riddle.

Itinerary

Day 1 - Cartagena
Arrive at any time.

Day 2 - Cartagena
Enjoy a city tour, visiting the colonial walled city and fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Enjoy free time to take in the Caribbean vibe of the city and beach.

Day 3 - Cartagena/Santa Marta
Travel by bus to Santa Marta with free time to explore this beautiful coastal city.

Day 4 - Santa Marta/Taganga
Journey into the hills around Minca and hike to a beautiful waterfall. Take a tour of a coffee farm, learn about chocolate preparation and indulge in a local lunch. Continue to Taganga, a perfect base for exploring nearby Tayrona National Park.

Day 5 - Taganga
Spend the day exploring Taganga. Opt for more active options like snorkelling or hiking or hit one of the beaches and relax in a hammock.

Day 6 - Taganga/Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona
Head into Tayrona National Park for a moderate hike with a local guide. This is a perfect opportunity to experience nature and learn a little more about the rich, natural diversity of northern Colombia. Stay in a lodge close to the park.

Day 7 - Parque Nacional Natural Tayrona/Santa Marta
Hike out of the park and return to Santa Marta for an optional evening out on the town.

Day 8 - Santa Marta
Relax on the beautiful Caribbean coast in Santa Marta or go further afield to explore.

Day 9 - Santa Marta/Ciudad Perdida Trek Campsite 1
Transfer to Machete Pelao, where the trek to the Lost City of Teyuna begins. Trek for between 4-5 hrs each day through farmland, steamy jungle, and rural communities, and get a glimpse of local families going about their daily lives. The route runs along the Buritaca River, and there are natural swimming pools at the campsites to enjoy a refreshing dip before relaxing in a hammock.

Day 12 - Ciudad Perdida Trek Campsite Teyuna Paraiso/Ciudad Perdida
Early start to climb the 1,200 steps to get to the Lost City, but the view across the surrounding mountains is more than worth the hike.

Day 13 - Ciudad Perdida/Santa Marta
In the morning, trek the last leg of the hike back to Machete Pelao, and transfer back to Santa Marta and relax for the rest of the day.

Day 14 - Santa Marta
Depart at any time.

What's Included

City tour in Cartagena

Hike to Poza Azul (2hrs)

Coffee farm tour and chocolate preparation

Tayrona National Park

Hike with local guide (5hrs)

Overnight in eco-huts in the park

5-day trek to the Lost City with indigenious guide

All transport between destinations and to/from included activities

Accommodation: Hotels/guesthouses (8 nts), eco-huts in the national park (1 nt, multi-share), hammocks/camping in the national park (4 nts)